Digging a trench on an incline

lakeside · May 12, 2009

I have to dig a 50 foot long 36" deep, trench on a gravel lane that slopes up and down at about 10 degrees. I'm getting my B26 next week

and this will be one of the very first jobs I'll do with my new baby. I have little (read none) experience with a backhoe so what's the best and safest way to dig the trench? Should the backhoe be facing downhill or up hill? Intuitively, I'd say the backhoe should be facing uphill but the way the trench will be having the backhoe facing down will be a bit easier, but will it be as safe??

alchemysa · May 12, 2009

It should be much better to start at the top and work down, with the FEL on the downside. A backhoe has a strong and annoying tendency to pull the tractor backwards. That will be an even bigger pain if you have the hoe on the downside.

johnny_law · May 12, 2009

alchemysa said:
It should be much better to start at the top and work down, with the FEL on the downside. A backhoe has a strong and annoying tendency to pull the tractor backwards. That will be an even bigger pain if you have the hoe on the downside.

+1 Agree

greenmule · May 12, 2009

Yeah,top to bottom,no dirt in your ditch either.

ibnxe · May 12, 2009

You will find, digging down the grade will work the best.

A couple things that will help... first, start out at a leasurely engine speed until you get used to the backhoe controls. After a little while, the control movements will become more automatic as you gain seat time. Secondly, do the actual digging with the curl function. Trying to dig with the dipper will cause you to continually drag the tractor backwards.

Have fun and take some pictures to post.

rcrcomputing · May 12, 2009

I realize you said only 10%, but be careful and maybe dig out some tree roots on flat ground first.. Get familiar with things..

valley · May 13, 2009

Will you be digging down hill or across the hill?

CurlyDave · May 13, 2009

I agree, backhoe on uphill side, FEL downhill, put all the spoils on one side of the trench, if there is a side to side slope, put them on the uphill side.

Think about backfilling before you dig. It is frequently better to have the trench at one side of the driveway, and the spoil pile also on the driveway. If it is wide enough you can keep the machine on the driveway while backfilling that way.

okgarcia · May 14, 2009

I also agree with top to bottom as being easier, but... depending on your soil conditins and surface water runoff, the trench may have water in it right away. Thus you may be digging in soup/wet conditions when you get toward the bottom as your trench does its job carrying water away. When digging bottom to top, I've been filling my FEL with a full load of dirt to help stabilize it.

Just a couple thoughts.